Cheaters are Oppressors

Messenger of Allaah, Muhammad SallAllahu Alaihe WaSallam said: "He who cheats does not belong to us" (Sahih Muslim)

Why does Islaam take such a strong stance against cheating? What are its consequences? Is there any benefit in it? Why do people cheat?

Simple, it usurps the rights of others! The one who uses deceptive tactics to get ahead actually harms the one who truly deserves the praise for his hard work he did, the time he put in, and the effort and dedication he showed. Cheaters may gain a short-term benefit, but in the long run, they will never be the champions, and certainly not so in the sight of Allaah, because He is All-Aware of what each and every single person among us does.

Not a word does he (or she) utter, but there is a watcher by him ready (to record it).

Surah Qaaf

That's just about the utterances, so what about the despicable act of putting it down in the writing to get a better grade or when helping a friend because he/she couldn't have done any better than to ask you for the answers to the questions they can't figure out a solution during the exam? Both of them have partaken in this sin, and both shall carry the burden. What about the onlookers who know what's going on? They are classified as silent oppressors and also have a share in this deceitful deed. Unless of course, someone speaks out. Don't be a witness to oppression, if your brother commits a sin, admonish him silently, but if he persists, then take stern action against him but do NOT jeer at him or call him names; you have to uphold the standards of da'wah even at such times and deal patiently and wisely.

Since nothing is purely evil, cheating may give the people involved a better grade and a nice overall GPA, and all the splendid surprises that come along with that.. But in the sight of Allaah, and in his heart, the person knows the truth and his conscience shall never let him get away with this. If anyone earns a degree by being dishonest, whatever he earns by using that degree will be haraam! Imagine building a house on shaky grounds that is bound to collapse on it's builder at anytime whilst he was hoping to live in it peacefully. For How Long?

Won't there come a time when we all shall be standing in front of Allaah Subhanahu Wa ta'ala and be held accountable for our deeds, and nothing as small as a grain will escape the scale of justice.. What will we do then? Who will come to our aid and save us from the torment? Haven't we been warned enough? What will make us take heed before it's too late?  What will deter a believer from committing this abhorrent crime? (And by the way, a believer is not a believer at the time of committing such a loathsome deed). Doesn't he know that the Messenger of Allaah SallAllahu Alaihe WaSallam out-casted such a person from being among the believers? Is your 5 or 10 marks question worth being abandoned by the Messenger of Allaah!?

It cannot be re-iterated enough that cheaters never succeed. Such an act will even cause the invocations (Dua) of the person to be rejected and lose all the barakah in this life. Is it really worth it?

A person will not move his feet from his place on the Day of Judgement till he answers what he has been held accountable for. Three people will be involved in the case of a cheater..


*His parents, the ones whose duty it was to look after their offsprings.. They will be asked whether they instilled the qualities of a righteous believer in their child, and whether or not their child was taught about the halal and haram of Islaam? These parents shall be brought into account and punished for not raising their children on the correct Islamic beliefs.


**His teachers and mentors, the ones who will be questioned about every penny they earned and whether they give education it's due right with the right attitude. And how well they took care of the Muslim students. Scholars are the inheritors of the prophets, if they cannot take care of what they have been entrusted with, then they have cheated the waseeyah (will) of the Prophet Muhammad SallAllaahu Alaihe WaSallam.


***The students, the ones who have forgotten that Allaah is Always Aware of what they do, and cheat left and right as if their actions are not being put on record. 


Imagine that a faction of cheaters enters into the field of engineering, medical, Islamic education, and other faculties. Shaytan will be their guide, cheating is his religion, and destruction is their fate. 


Verily the disbelieving nations have instilled qualities of nationalism in their children, who grow up obeying the rules of their government. Isn't the Muslim Ummah more eligible in that sense to follow the rule of Allaah that has been sent down for them?!

If you hadn't prepared well for the exams, inform the relevant authorities about it. It wouldn't cost you anything but courage and honesty. And it does not matter what the actual reason was behind this plight of yours. Do better next time, plan and prepare ahead of time, do whatever it takes to achieve a better result and work hard. But don't cheat.

It'd be better to fail than get ahead unfairly because it kills the whole purpose of exams i.e. to distinguish the average student from the excellent one by putting their knowledge to test. Remember, by cheating you are in reality taking away the rights of your brother/sister in Islaam who truly deserves rewards of their hard-earned work which will make you very detestable in the sight of Allaah.

If you have cheated in exams or helped someone cheat, turn to Allaah with a sincerely remorseful heart and seek His forgiveness before the doors of Repentance are closed in your face. 

It is incumbent upon every Muslim to take care of what he has been entrusted with. 


Allaah loves those who are honest.

May Allaah bless this Ummah with Emaan that will never wane and protect us all from the deplorable acts of cheating, deceit and dishonesty, Ameen.